I started coaching with Emma when I was feeling totally overwhelmed; I couldn’t see a way forward nor organise my thoughts constructively. At times, it felt like I was spiralling into negativity or just trying to keep putting the problems out of my mind feeling I didn’t have the time or skills to go forward. Having gone through this process, it felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders and that I could actually start planning how to improve those issues that were within my control.
It’s been really good to get rid of the things I’m worried about. But importantly, the process has then given me a clearer path so feel much more prepared and motivated to move forward. Each session is an hour well spent because in that hour, things have been made much clearer in my mind. Otherwise, I probably could have spent about four hours sitting here and with no idea what to do! In a time when everybody says they don't have enough time, actually, an hour spent talking through things like this can save you so much time in the long run!
It’s been beneficial for my well being too. Having each hour to be able to talk through something that is obviously bothering me that I haven’t been able to solve alone is really helpful. Especially at the moment, I’m so overwhelmed with lots of things so actually just have that time to be able to talk through something and solve something has been really, really good. I didn't appreciate that I’d feel like that at the beginning, but it's definitely helped my wellbeing loads.
When we started, I knew I wanted to change and redefine myself. I had a lot of self-doubt because I felt I had been defined for so long as a teacher. This process has allowed me to realise I'm more than just a teacher. I knew I was somewhere on the start of my journey, but the coaching has really helped me to be more confident to follow my heart and to believe in myself. I was finding it hard to focus because of COVID and all the pressures that had put on me, so I’m grateful for these sessions which have definitely helped me to focus my energy and feel more purposeful. As a teacher, I have always defined myself in a certain way and always try to help people, but I feel like I don’t have those confines anymore. This has been a huge turning point for me. Thank you!
As a result of coaching with Emma, my confidence has soared. I am thinking bigger and feeling lighter. I have always considered myself to be resilient, but I had a significant life changing event after the first two sessions that really rocked this. Coaching from Emma has resulted in new coping techniques where my resilience has returned and is stronger than before.
I felt listened to and that I could tell her anything, without judgement. She grasped what I wanted to work on within a couple of minutes of our first conversation. Emma gently challenged me when I had conflicting thoughts so that I could examine what was really going on. She encouraged me to remember my strengths and how I could use them going forward. In this way I experienced vulnerability, in a safe environment, where my confidence grew.
Every time I talk to Emma, I get thinking time that I don't afford to myself when I'm at work. I was worried that I wouldn’t have time for coaching, but it’s been such a valuable process. Each hour has actually given me more time because I've gone away and applied the things that we've talked about, which means things have gone much quicker and smoother. Then I don’t have to spend time worrying because I've already thought about what I'm going do. Even though things haven’t always gone quite how I wanted, I have felt confident that I have strategies to pull upon. I was a little scared about letting go of all the things I had been holding on to inside, but I am so glad I gave myself that time and invested in the coaching process so I can now move forward.
When I reflect, I think my whole focus in teaching has always been around the children. I’m learning now through all the things I’ve talked through with Emma that to be able to give my full focus to those children, I've got to get all these other things with myself and my team right first.
I wanted to talk to someone without judgement. I wanted a professional conversation which wasn’t counselling, but where there wasn’t a conflict of interest as there would be with my line manager. Emma’s knowledge of how school organisations work and the unique situations teachers face is really apparent. She was encouraging, good at listening and helped me frame things in a useful way.
As a result of our coaching sessions, I've got rid of a lot of things that were superfluous to what I should have been thinking about. I’ve drilled down on a few core things that I want to work on and have been able to focus on my confidence, directness and ability to back myself up at work, without a mass of things surrounding me and slowing me down. Coaching has enabled me to get my focus pinned down to something that is specific and workable to help me move forward.
The coaching sessions with Emma have had a very positive impact on my life and the way I work. She has helped me to develop strategies to combat the feeling of overwhelm and to move forward with my work. She helped me to look beyond the problem and find a solution. Her insightful questioning enabled me to reflect and re-evaluate my previous methods of working. As a result of our sessions, I feel that I am now more organised and equipped with the tools and skills to tackle any occasions when I feel overwhelmed. I cannot thank Emma enough for her laser like focus to guide me to the root of the problem, and her warm efficiency to keep me on track throughout our coaching relationship.
Working with Emma has been a process of problem solving. Rather than being told the answer or given a solution, I have ownership of all my ideas and decisions. This has meant there has been a real sense of achievement and motivation to do things. I think, ‘Oh, I came up with that. No, I think that will work! I need to give it a go!’ Whether it works or not, doesn't really matter - it’s been about the process of making my brain work to actually create a solution and take a step forward.
